PCMC bags first prize of Rs 10 lakh for Pardeshi's work

People in PCMC protesting the transfer in Febuary
File Photodna Research & Archives

Pune: Though the former Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal commissioner Srikar Pardeshi was transferred unceremoniously in February this year, it seems his contribution towards the development of the twin town has been finally recognised by the state government. The PCMC has bagged the first prize of Rs 10 lakh in a competition organised by the government for speedy development through administrative work.
PCMC commissioner Rajiv Jadhav told mediapersons on Saturday that Pardeshi's transparent administration helped the civic body become people-oriented and resulted in effective implementation of various schemes and programmes.
Pardeshi, who took over the PCMC on May 23, 2012, could not complete his tenure as he was shunted out abruptly following his rigorous drive against unauthorised constructions in the twin town.
Pardeshi complied with the high court order on illegal constructions and relentlessly carried out the anti-encroachment drive without yielding to political pressures. He had also received threatening letters but the upright officer refused to budge. He is now working as the Inspector General of Registration and Controller of Stamps.
The PCMC won the award of Rs 10 lakh for its 10-point programme, state-of-the-art website, citizen's charter, Sarathi initiative to provide services, and a few other people- oriented initiatives.
The effective implementation of e-governance, capacity building and competition within the PCMC office were some of Pardeshi's contributions. A total of 1.90 lakh citizens have been benefitted by the Sarathi initiative, said Jadhav.